In three of the last four campaigns, including this season, the English Premier League title race has evolved into a two-horse race between two outstanding teams; Manchester City and Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s teams have become huge rivals over the course of the last five years or so and while City have picked up three league titles in that time to Liverpool’s one, the Reds have landed the one trophy City covet the most, the Champions League.
Earlier this season, the teams fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield in a game that saw Mo Salah score an incredible goal, only for a deflected Kevin De Bruyne shot to hand City a point in what was a thrilling encounter.
In recent times, it has been City that have enjoyed the better of things in this fixture and with home advantage and a point lead in the Premier League table, they head into the game as the favourites.
However, Liverpool have cut City’s lead from 14 points in mid-January down to just one and the Reds have won all their last nine Premier League games and Jurgen Klopp will know that a win is a must if his team are to make the most of the opportunity to overtake the league leaders on Sunday.
Betting interest in the game will be huge of course, and if you are a new or eligible customer with bet365 Sport, you can qualify for a fantastic value free £5 bet on the game and we’ve got more information on that great offer at the end of this preview.
But for now, let’s turn our attention to the game on Sunday.
Manchester City v Liverpool
- Venue – Etihad Stadium
- Date – Sunday 10th April
- Kick Off – 4.30pm
- Live – On Sky Sports
Premier League Context
This clash of the two outstanding teams in the Premier League this season could well decide the outcome of the Premier League title.
A win for Manchester City would give them a four-point lead over Liverpool with just seven games in the season remaining.
However, a win for the Reds would put them two points clear of City, albeit with a tougher run in over the last seven games compared to City.
A draw would leave things as it stands, with Liverpool a point behind City, but with a better goal difference.
Recent Games Between Manchester City And Liverpool
Earlier this season, the two met at Anfield and shared a point apiece after a 2-2 draw in what was an entertaining game, memorable for a fantastic individual goal by Liverpool’s Mo Salah.
However, prior to that, City had won two of the last three against the Reds, drawing the other and Liverpool’s last win over Manchester City came back in November 2019 (a 3-1 win at Anfield).
Go back ten games in the series and things are very close, with City and Liverpool both winning three of those games, with the other four matches all drawn.
City are unbeaten at home against Liverpool since 2015, when the Reds won 4-1 at the Etihad. However, Liverpool did beat City 2-1 at the Etihad in the Champions League in April 2018, following on from a 3-0 win in the first leg at Anfield a week beforehand.
In the last four games between the teams, City have outscored Liverpool 11 goals to 4, which will be a concern for Reds fans heading into this game.
Manchester City v Liverpool Team News. & Potential Line Ups
Both teams have relatively injury free squads to pick from for the game.
For Manchester City, Ruben Dias remains a real doubt as he may need another week or so to fully recover from the injury he sustained in early March, as such John Stones and Aymeric Laporte will likely continue in central defence.
Pep Guardiola’s main choices lie in who to play in attack and midfield and whether his £100m man Jack Grealish will start the game on the pitch or on the bench.
- Projected Manchester City Team – 4-3-3 – Ederson, Walker, Cancelo, Stones, Laporte, Rodri, Gundogan, Silva.B, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Grealish.
Provided they come through their midweek game at Benfica unscathed, Liverpool will likely have a near full strength squad to pick from for the game on Sunday.
Naby Keita is a slight doubt, but it is expected he will be able to play if selected for the game. Trent Alexander-Arnold should be fit enough to start.
The big selection options for Jurgen Klopp is who he plays in attack with Mane, Salah likely to start and Jota, Firmino and Dias all vying for a place up front with them. Similarly, it looks like a choice between Thiago and Keita for a midfield berth alongside Fabinho and Henderson.
- Projected Liverpool Team – 4-3-3 – Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Jota.
Betting Odds
Bet365 currently have Manchester City as the favourites to win the game by a good margin with City currently 19/20 to win the match. It is 11/4 for the draw while Liverpool are the 13/5 underdogs to win the game.
I have to say at that price, I think Liverpool is the bet to make given that they are unbeaten in their last nine and have strengthened their squad markedly with the signings of Konate in defence and Dias in attack, plus Jota is in fine goalscoring form at the moment.
The Reds don’t have the best recent record against Manchester City, but one thing this fixture has shown over the years is that you have to expect the unexpected and I think it is time for Liverpool to put in an epic performance to put themselves in the driving seat for the title race.
And if you’d like a free £5 bet on the game, read on below about this week’s great offer from bet365!
Bet365 Offers Free £5 Bet On Manchester City V Liverpool Game For Eligible Customers
If you are a new customer, or an eligible existing customer, then bet365 Sport will offer you a completely free £5 bet on the latest Manchester City v Liverpool clash this weekend.
Check your email or your inbox on your bet365 account for an invitation to place your free bet, or simply log in to your account and head on over to the markets for the Manchester City v Liverpool game taking place on Sunday (kick off 4.30pm).
You can place your free bet on single or Bet Builder markets for the game and once you have made your selection and added it to your bet slip, using your free bet is simple.
On the bet slip, simply click the box that says Use Your Free £5 Bet and you will be able to place the bet courtesy of the bet365 bonus you have received.
Remember, if you win, your stake is not returned with your winnings, but any winnings you do receive are paid to you as cash with no wagering requirement attached!
Bet365 Free Bet Offer Details
Man City v Liverpool £5 Free Bet
Enjoy a £5 Free Bet on Man City v Liverpool with bet365
No deposit required. New & eligible UK & ROI customers only. Account must be fully verified to place the bet. Applies to single bets and Bet Builders only. Returns exclude Free Bet stake. T&Cs apply.
So, if you fancy a wager on the outcome of the big game on Sunday, and don’t want to risk any of your hard-earned cash, then this bet365 offer is certainly one to take full advantage of.
Tags: bet365 Sport Premier League
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